Top 10 Best Anime Swordsmen
No anime character has ever had the desire as deep as his to become the greatest swordsmen. No one tried as hard he did to improve his swordsmanship. As you go throughout the anime you can clearly see the improvement of his skills. He has a range that extends from far underground now. His sword skills have incredible sharpness and the consistency in being able to cut giant masses casually with no major energy loss. He cut an entire ship and then later cut the gigantic Pica made of stone like it was nothing. His attacks have incredible destructive power and are very hard to stop. Post time-skip he has not really been seen pushed to the limits so it can be assumed his skills which are already top-notch are greater then what we've seen. Even more then that they have the clear potential to grow even more.
"Roanoa Zoro" just the name alone sounds badass. He is an incredible swordsman with amazing stamina and resistance to pain as he managed to take in all hos captains pain and suffering plus his how and still managed to stand upright. He has amazing precision and technique as he is able to cut a huge building into pieces with a simple movement, not to mention his superhuman strength as he is also capable of throwing huge buildings. His senses are highly developed and is almost never caught off guard. Zoro is a badass swordsman who isn't afraid to take in anyone nor is he afraid of any challenge and will kill anyone without thinking twice. To put it in simple words Zoro is a badass bloodthirsty swordsman that ain't afraid of anything.
He presents something the manga world has lacked. Ever since Vegeta from DBZ, every badass charachter has been following his steps and scenario that Toriyama had made so original. Zoro was someone that finally brought some originality: he didn't need any dark past of immense pain, he doesn't need to be the rival of the main protagonist. He does what he wants when he wants and still he has an equal footing with the main character, still is considered the number 2 of the series and is still considered the reincarnation of... Badass.
Zoro is everything that represents the valor of a swordsman. He has pride, discipline, drive, accuracy, perfect form, and revolutionary techniques that no other fictional swordsmen could assume. He built his body for the purpose of wielding swords. His swordsmanship is a philosophy that governs his way of living and his decisions. He exists solely for fighting his way to the top carrying that kind of philosophy on his back and to make known to the world that his way of the sword is strongest.
Trunks is an anime fictional character from the anime series, Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama. Killed an immortal in the future who also had the power to grow infinitely stronger, and who was able to beat vegito blue, the strongest fighter in the history of fiction.
He is epic, and has awesome Super Saiyan powers. Trunks can move at supersonic speed, and teleport. He can even hold his own without a sword.
Trunks beat ZOLO (not Zoro, that's that spanish swordsman) for me by a tiny bit, probably because Dragon Ball Z is my first favorite manga/anime, while One Piece is my second or third.
He maybe number 6 on this list but he could possibly smash everyone else on this list by himself.
Himura Kenshin, known as Kenshin Himura in the English-language anime dubs, is a fictional character and protagonist of the Rurouni Kenshin manga created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. 'Battousai the manslayer', the name says it all. Considered to be the best swordsman that ever existed, a title he still holds even after deciding he would never kill again. His flawless swordmanship and his ability to evaluate every battle he ends up in in to create a plan in almost an instant is why he is the best anime swordsman. He holds expert skill in every aspect of being a swordsman; he has the speed, the skill, the power, the evaluation skills, the mentality, and not to mention a vast array of techniques which ensures that no matter who or what he finds himself up against, he has a trump card for them all. Truly the best anime swordsman, hands down.
In my opinion Kenshin is the best anime swordsman ever. I could say many things to support my opinion but what really makes him the best is that against his opponents he was using a reverse blade sword to beat them but with no intention to kill them. In proportionality I cannot see other anime swordsmen doing that with their opponents. Other fact that makes him the best is that he is trying to beat his opponents both physically and mentally by applying psychological war at the same time {e.G. the fight with Sojiro}. According to me these facts added to the complexity of his character and his past make him the most skillful, complete and badass swordsman ever.
He is the true master swordsman. He defeats his enemy's with one reverse blade sword and does it with the speed of that rivals the gods and he doesn't have to kill. He has no magical sword or demon powers to help him. He does it with skill and the will to live. Forget these other cheating swordsman. Kenshin is the best no matter what.
When it comes down to swordsman, we find a single strike can be fatal. the ultimate technique for kenshin is basically the manifested will to live. with this will to live, he will with a speed surpassing the gods, never be killed. assuming he were to have the will to kill, which I certainly believe if it came down to it he would kill, there is no one better. he can dodge absolutely any attack while simultaneously striking with speed faster than the gods. on top of all this, his technique is impeccable in all standards. speed, agility, timing, intelligence, experience, all are on his side. I truly don't see and anime swordsman that could surpass him
Ichigo Kurosaki is a fictional character in the Bleach manga series and its adaptations created by Tite Kubo. Ichi is damn powerful, that's true. But the question here is about the strongest swordsswordsmen...
In that sense Ichi, doesn't deserve such a high position. It's true that he's a good swordsswordsman. But if we forget about his powers and spiritual pressure and hand him a normal sword, then I think even Renji or Ikkaku will be able to beat him. I don't know how many of you saw it but there was a filler episode were thiso point was mentioned about Ichi...as I can remember it was shortly after Aizen's defeat...
Let's see, his skill in using swords may not be the best that may be owing to the fact that he's only had about 2 years of experience being a Shinigami, had never trained for prolonged periods of time apart from the time he was trying to learn the final getsuga tenshou.
Now in the thousand year blood war, he could easily be in the top 3, Erza can't do anything but bore him, Ichigo is faster than Zoro and stronger.
To those idiots who think Erza could even lay a scratch on Zoro keep dreaming.
Strongest swordsman in the anime universe no doubt(not counting trunks as a swordsman). He could take on Zoro and Kenshin together and wouldn't even flinch because of his massive speed and raw powers. His skills as a swordsman however, are beneath zoro and kenshin. I'd give Ichigo 3rd spot all-round. He's definitely above all the rest in terms of both skills and strength.
Ichigo is one of the most overpowered anime swordsmen, so for me he goes first.Compared to all his fellas in Bleach whom are far more powerful than all this list.He surpass them therefore surpass all in this list (For example Erza vs Senbonzakura (of captain byakuya) is a known result.
Dracule "Hawk Eyes" Mihawk is a fictional character of the One Piece manga franchise created by Eiichiro Oda. Mihawk is a member of the Shichibukai and the first one to be revealed in the series. Though personally I like Zoro I cannot deny the fact that"Hawk Eyes" Mihawk is the most skilled and powerful swordsman in the anime universe. He inflicts enormous damage to his enemies without himself or his sword getting a scratch. He is the only one to have not received any injury. During the great war between navy and White beard pirates( Strongest pirate Crew) many of the big timers were wounded badly/dead, Mihawk was the only one without a scratch on him or on his sword.
Not to mention he defeated, #2 ranked Zoro in this list with a pocket knife once, So..He SShould be at the TOP OF THIS STUPID LIST!
Though personally I like zoro, I cannot deny the fact that "Hawk eyes"(mihawk) is the most skilled and powerful swordsman there is in the anime world. He is the only character to have inflicted enormous damage to his enemies without himself or his sword getting a scratch even once in the entire series. In the war b/w navy and white beard pirates( the strongest pirate crew) many of the big names were wounded badly, mihawk was the only one without as much as a scratch. So,... Yes He Should Be At The TOP OF THE LOST!
Why is he behind Zoro on this list. He nearly killed him with no effort put into it. I understand that this was before the time skip but he was the one who had actually trained Zoro and is the strongest swordsman in the world so he should be 2nd and Zoro should be 5th.
Well Zorro is destined to surpass him but currently Dracule Hawkeyes Mihawk is the strongest,most badass swordsman for sure...and as the others mentioned he defeated #1 on this list with a pocket knife and also trained him... Mihawk should be #1...but it's zorro because he's more popular but nonetheless Mihawk should be in top 3 at least
Let's not forget that Hiei was an A-class demon when he was about 5, and sacrificed this power to get the third eye implanted in his head. His third eye lets him use telepathy and see things far away. Also, in his first round in the Dark Tournament he sliced a guy's arm off, and no one saw him move at all! Basically, he has super speed, but he doesn't use magic for it or anything. He's just that fast! And he has experience, as he fought in Demon World his whole life before coming to the Human World.
And he swallowed and became the Dragon of the Darkness Flames, which is a dragon made of the hottest fire from the deepest part of Demon World, so there's that.
Hiring is by far a strong swordsman. Being able to teleport alone with strong slicing accuracy is enough to kill anybody he goes against. However, you'd have to downplay that a lot to keep him from being invincible. When he uses his sword on occasion, he's skilled. I wouldn't rank him any higher because of that
He sliced his opponent 16 times in a BLINK of an EYE... when he was lower C class... and now he is upper S class!
And... and... and!
"Sword of the Darkness Flames! "
Erza Scarlet is an S-Class Mage from the infamous magic guild Fairy Tail. Erza starts off as a lone wolf and stays loyal to following the rules. As the story develops Erza changes into loving mage strong and independent. As her terrible past haunts her she ignores her Nakama's calls that they want help. Erza's past starts with her working to build the dangerous tower called the Tower of Heaven also known as the R-System. Meant to resurrect Lord Zeref the evil Dark Wizard. Erza is taken back to the nightmares that she tried to run away from but failed because of her old friends holding her hostage. Having no choice but to risk her life for her Nakama she tried to fuse her body with a lacrima ...read more. HAHAA Zoro just because Zoro says he can cut through anything doesn't mean he can cut through anything. That's like saying he would be able to cut one of Godzilla's scales. It's not gonna happen. Erza has accomplished many things because she is powerful. And actually, she destroyed 200 of those lacrima and just destroying one endangers your life. She also won a fight against Kyoka without her important sense and her sensitivity to pain was heightened. So she won a fight blind, deaf, and here pain sensitivity was unreal why her foes attack power was rising. Zoro cut a ship in half, etc. So what? Erza cut a small island in half in Edo arc. And she's much more powerful than before.
To the person who thinks Zoro can beat Erza. Erza has multiple armors that she can use, and in Edolas arc she cut a small island in half, and during the Laxus arc she destroyed multiple lightning lacrimas, and just destroying one puts your life in danger. She also defeated 100 monster and one of them was an S-class monster.
Zoro says he can cut through anything, but can he REALLY cut through anything? Erza has multiple armors and a new armor was just revealed in the recent chapters. She could literally have an armor that is unbreakable. She has armors for different situations such as her lightning armor, fairy armor, wind armor, etc. She even had an adamantine armor and tanked a hit that was capable of destroying the entire FT guild and the surrounding area.
Zoro fans are becoming more and more ridiculous. Zoro may be the best in HIS VERSE, but when it comes to other verses he doesn't have a chance against certain swordsmen. And Zoro is a jerk of a character anyway. ...more
Erza is literally the best swordsman ever, and NEVER underestimate her because she is a girl. She uses a magic ability called "Requip" which means she has weapons stored in another dimension that she can pull out at any time. But she has her own one of a kind ability. She can also "requip" her armor to give her power boosts, healing boosts, speed boosts, and much more. Her armor is used to protect her from any type of magic. One of her requips, "Heavens Wield," summons as many swords as she wants, and attacks her enemies with them. She is honestly the best character for a swordsman and has a great backstory too. Her nickname is Titania, Queen of the Fairies.
Erza is the best female swordsman defeating 100 monsters in such a short time. Those monsters are no joke even the other contestants are surprised about Erza like the wizard saint Jura and etc. Also she slice a big meteor with using 1 sword only even she is in pain and broke her one arm. That is why she os the best and hottt. May other situations tested her that she is the best!
His skills in battle are truly unmatched. Even when struck down and all seems hopeless, he'll find a way to fight back against the tendrils of fate. If a demon stands ready to finish Guts off, he'll take his daughter hostage and use that to his advantage. He may not be some knight of valor and honor, but his dirty swordplay is what makes him akin to even the most powerful of celestial beings. He dares to strike back against fate and presumes to kill a god who was once his friend. Add that to a magical suit of armor which transforms him into a relentless beast of the night and you have possibly the most powerful man in any lore.
Guts is not number 1 and that's a problem. Sao and bleach are beating the most brutal hardcore awe inspiring genre defining man on the earth. Everything under the sun takes cues from berserk. Everything you've ever loved owes some portion of itself to this series and this character. Anyone who doesn't agree either hasn't read the series. Doesn't know the history or is just too young to get it. He's the last person in the manga/anime universe you ever want to meet in a dark alley with a sword in his hands. Even if you can't call it a sword. Because it's too massive and crude. No argument. And seriously if you don't get it. Do yourself the biggest favor you could ever do yourself and read the series. I even highly recommend the newer movies. Especially the 2nd and third arcs of the golden age. Hope the new anime gets better. Because that's when his powers really start to grow. But come on. Tenth. Under sissy video game boy who doesn't even exist in anything other than a video game ...more
Guts may not have magic, video game powers, ki etc but there one thing he has more of than any of these other fighters, determination. If you compare Guts story to the others on this list I doubt that many would be able to come out of it as well as Guts did and he's a broken Badass. Guts is a hardened soldier who has lived his entire life fighting, whether it's humans, monsters or apostles Guts has always had some form of challenge that he has overcome. He has survived wounds that would make a shonen protagonist cringe and has fought monsters that would normally be considered big bads all their own as if they were nothing but mooks. When he was just a man he could cleave through walls of demon flesh and with his berserker armor he can destroy anything in his way.
No superpowers necessary. Ridiculous physical prowess & sword technique backed by combat experience that nobody, without special abilities, could come close to. Insane training & numerous battles against overwhelming odds have honed his skills beyond any other swordsman.
Anyone who says he's "all power, no skill" clearly haven't bothered to read the second part of the first arc of Berserk, 'The Guardians of Desire'(Vol. 2), where he fights Zondark, who swings a battleaxe on a tentacle around like a whip "too fast for the human eye to see". Not only defending against every attempted strike but counter-attacking as well. All within a confined space, wielding the enormous sword, The Dragon Slayer.
Make no mistake, he is a master swordsman, only finding challenge against massive beasts with supernatural abilities.
Hundred Man Slayer, Captain of the Raiders, Struggler, Black Swordsman.
Guts.
Kazuto Kirigaya is a fictional character who appears in the Sword Art Online series of light novels by Reki Kawahara. Yes, I agree that Kirito himself possesses so much skill and power but for a sensible reason. He is much like Kenshin who has the will to live AND the will to protect others. I could understand why some people hate SAO because of Kirito's OPness. To those people, his abilities and power is not in a impossible degree and he may show some weaknesses and losses in the series BUT will battle his opponents at full extent if someone's life is on the line.
Kirito is NOT the strongest swordsm an! l f you are saying stuff like no swordsman could defeat Gleameyes or Heathcliff( sorry, l do not know how to spell the names )other than Kirito, you're wrong. Zoro could, Erza could, Mihawk could, Sasuke could, lchigo could, Kenshin could, Shanks could. For trunks, if Kirito, Gleam eyes and Heathcliff team up to fight him, all he did is sneeze and all their heads will come off...
Is SWORD art online. Kirito is the strongest player in sao. Put 2 and 2 together and you get strongest swordsman. Yeah I mean Erza is strong but I think kirito is stronger. If the two were to fight than I think Erza would win because of her requip. If it were down to pure sword skills than kirito would win.
One of the greatest swordsman in anime. Kirito rarely lose in battle and show amazing speed and strength when using his blade. In GGO, Kirito can defect bullet using his photon sword. This shows how fast his reaction is with his blade. Practically an unstoppable character!
Kenpachi Zaraki is a fictional character and an antihero in the anime and manga series Bleach created by Tite Kubo. Now that he has bankai, find me a better swordsman. No one has cutting power like him. He can literally cut through time and space. He sliced one of Yhwach's elite guards, Gerard, in half. It was only thanks to Gerard's power "the miracle" that he survived. Anyone else gets killed.
After know is zanpakuto name he upgrades his power x150, so with even shikai he can easily kills ichigo the protagonist of bleach, so maybe he is the strongest swordsmen of bleach.
I voted for ichigo, but I would have agreed here. Even zoro couldn't cut down Kenpachi
Having her on your team during a zombie apocalypse what greatly increase your chances for survival.
Definitely one of the most badass swords men I've seen to date.
Sosuke Aizen is a fictional character in the Bleach manga series and its adaptations created by Tite Kubo. Swords abilities don't make them great swordsman it makes them great weapons
I don't think any other of these characters can practically fight as well without a sword as Byakuya can. Nor can anyone else on this list keep up with his flash step (apart from other Bleach characters).
The guy grew back his arm along with a sword that can kill thousands of demons in one big chain reaction. That there is a devotion to swords if you ask me...
He really strong and he never panic. He's a great swordmen unbeatable. Except dante will beat the crap out of him but other than that the best.
Dante is a fictional character and the primary protagonist of the Devil May Cry series, created and published by Capcom. Not only does his sword look wickedly magnificent, but with Dante holding and wielding the sword he's practically invincible! He slains demons constantly not with his guns only, but with the help of "Rebellion", the name of his sword. His sword shows perspective, and details on how the sword helps the character win battles!
He's got some very nice moves and slices the demons as they were nothing. And the rebellion blade is just too awesome.
Dante has a wickedly sword that will cut anything you can throw at it to pieces.
He's brilliantly awesome with his kickass butt popping sword he pops demons heads off faster than popcorn can pop!
Toshiro Hitsugaya is a fictional character in the Bleach manga series and its adaptations created by Tite Kubo. Deserves top 25
I am basing my comment on what would happen if there is an actual fight between my number one favourite Zorro and inuyasha.
If you've seen inuyasha his wind scar and backlash wave after huge moves and analysing his fights with sesshomaru can be easily avoided if you're not bound. I mean really in the latest series his powers get taken away and the way he fights with that sword without powers is really sad
Inu Yasha Evolved with Tessaiga, He not only forged it with is his own fang but also mastered and attacks that could unleash diamond barrage or wind scars to Meidou blackholes till the end.
He not only wields it like a badass but can virtually defeat anyone with it!
How is he 15? I mean Sesshomaru is way more powerful then him.
Inuyasha should not be in the top ten.. So many better swordsmen
Sasuke Uchiha is a fictional character from the manga and anime franchise Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto. He has the speed and lightning style which make his sword skills extra beautiful to watch.
He is awesome and he is best!
Strongest sword master
Saber is a fictional character from the Japanese visual novel and anime series Fate/stay night by Type-Moon and its prequel, Fate/Zero, by Type-Moon and nitroplus. She is the the Saber-class Servant of Kiritsugu Emiya during the Fourth Holy Grail War in Fate/Zero and the Saber-class Servant of Shirou ...read more. She is a great swordsman. She gives the meaning of the word Badass female swordsman. She's also hot and sexy. She doesn't take any crap!
Gintoki Sakata is a fictional character in the manga and anime franchise Gin Tama created by Hideaki Sorachi. He is a very strong samurai, capable of defeating or outright killing opponents with just a wooden sword. He has been shown to be highly charismatic, capable of drawing people just by his words alone. He also has a very humorous side which most anime swordsmen don't have which sets him apart entirely from everyone. While acting stupid and idiotic for most of the time, he has shown to have a loving and care side for which he doesn't show very often.
How come Gintoki is in 13 and Trunks and Kirito is in the Top 10? Gintoki can do anything with a Wooden Sword! He destroyed a Benizakura. Made a hole in a hand, cut through, all the time with just a wooden sword. Dude this is not facts, they're just voting for fanbase. Oh did I forget to mention he's one of the characters that survived in Joui War against a thousand Amantos in that war? He's a monster probably stronger than Erza. Gintoki has a strong and long durability, keen sense, can outsmart opponents and survive with a gun shot in his body and get slashed in back. And just a few days he's healthy as hell and ready to kick ass. This guy can't be killed easily. Oh in his younger days when he was a kid he killed hundred to thousand peoples with a just an ordinary sword. HE'S JUST A KID AT THAT TIME! He's a God Tier Swordsman. He can give Zoro a hard time, probably he can beat him too. IDIOT Fans voting just for popularity. He should be at least in the Top 3 or 5. Dude This guy can ...more
Gintoki is simly amazing. Not just for his swordsmanship and originality for a main protagonist, but for for his morals. Though he acts like an idiot a lot of the time he really does know what he is doing and what needs to be fought for. Selfless, brave, skilled, and strong are just a few words to describe this samurai with a soul of silver.
Dude, Gintoki DESTROYS things with a WOODEN sword and that's just when he's Gintoki, when he's really pissed the guy is scary. Shiroyasha, he is a samurai. Maybe not #1 but pretty damned close.
Rin Okumura is a fictional character in the manga and anime series Blue Exorcist created by Kazue Kato. He's known for being the son of satan and trying to kill him. He is the main Protagonist in Blue Exorcist. His notable feature is the blue sword in which he draws when in trouble Rin may be very powerful but is very immature in a fight, he can be out witted very easily and only uses brute force.
Rin is amazing! he's the son of Satan and very talented he deserves to be right under kirito as number too he's very hot and super strong and fast
Rin is Just amazingly awesome. Probably one of the best anime characters I've seen.
Not only his character is amazing, his skills in sword combat are as well.
Orochimaru is a fictional character from the Naruto universe created by Masashi Kishimoto and developed into a media franchise, which consists of a series of manga, anime, soundtracks, OVAs, movies, video games, and other collectibles.
Mugen does not have any powers or super human strength, and is still amazingly strong. He's probably the most badass guy on this list. He should be number 6-8 on this list.
Can any other swordsmen accomplish these feats without super strength. Nope only Mugen
Can Zorro break dance whilst cutting foes to shreds. I think not.